- A short introduction by Hans Brakob, K0HB

(I have to explain something you might not have realized. In doing so, I'm going to paraphrase something written by Steve Ford, WB8IMY, in his introduction to a book entitled "The ARRL Operating Manual".)

In case you didn't know, belief in magic is a necessary requirement for all Amateur Radio operators. Of course, you won't see a question concerning magic or metaphysics on the test you take to obtain your license, but in your heart you will come to believe in that powerful, intangible force.

All of us in the hobby have felt its influence at one time or another. Some night when the band is dead as a doornail you'll be tuning aimlessly, not expecting to hear a single signal because NOTHING could be coming through at that hour. But then, rising out of the noise like a ghost, there will be a faint call from another stalwart explorer thousands of miles distant. You pounce, establish contact and both of you marvel at the fact that the conversation is taking place at all. A few minutes later, however, the signal vanishes as quickly as it came. Your rational mind will shrug it off as a quirk of propagation, but that little tingle in your gut will tell you otherwise.

If you could travel back in time to, say, 1294 AD, you'd probably be burned at the nearest stake for even suggesting that two human beings could communicate with each other over great distances without a physical connection. No doubt they would accuse you of dabbling in magic -- and they'd be right!

As Amateur Radio operators, we work feats of magic every day. Many of us have become jaded about our powers and we tend to dismiss them as commonplace. We hardly think twice when we use our equipment to summon the elemental forces of the universe. But every so often we need to pause and remind ourselves of what we are really doing. We need to remember the essence of what drew us to our unusual avocation in the first place: the wonderful magic of wireless communications.

So how can YOU become a magician?

First, you need to prepare to obtain a Magician's License. The Federal Communications Commission calls them Amateur Radio Operator Licenses, and they come in 5 "classes".

There are two "entry class" licenses, namely the Novice and Technician class. These two classes of license are designed to give the newcomer access to a number of frequency bands without a too-strenuous exam.

The Novice class gives the widest range of frequencies, and will be attractive to folks with a desire to talk to "distant" places. The written test is the simplest of all the tests, and the examination also requires you to be able to copy Morse code at 5 words per minute. This license will also give you access to some "local" bands, but not as many as the Technician class.

The Technician class license, as the name implies, is aimed more at folks with a technical bent (you don't have to be an electrical engineer though). The written test is a bit more difficult, but you don't need to know Morse code for this license. The frequency bands for this license give you more "local" communications, although if you wish, you CAN take the Morse test, in which case you will also get access to the "worldwide" bands the same as the Novice class.

The next three classes of license are General, Advanced, and Extra. These three classes have access to portions of all amateur bands, with progressively more difficult exams, and requirements for copying faster Morse code (13, 13, and 20 words per minute respectively).

To prepare for the exams you will need some study material and more information about classes, examination points (the exams are given by volunteer Hams in your community), and clubs in your area. A number of organizations will be more than willing to help. One such organization is the American Radio Relay League. Write them at:

ARRL, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111

or call them at 1-800-32NEWHAM.

Ask for their "newcomers" package. It will include more detailed information, a list of classes and clubs in your area, and a list of scheduled examinations in your area also.

If you are near a Radio Shack store, go there and ask for a book entitled "Now You're Talking". This book is also available from the ARRL. It contains all the information you need, including study material and sample questions for the examinations for Novice and Technician licenses.

Good luck, and welcome to the "magical" hobby.